Tuesday, May 24, 2011

It has been some time since we saw a new 1/144 model from Kampfflieger and now he returns with an nice favourite of many, the Fokker DR.1. Even if you only owned one WWI aircraft the chances are that this is the one you would have...... and, you would probably paint it red!?

A number of factors have led to CGD to release an interesting set of figures. The demand by modellers to have accurate scale 1/144 to enhance their dioramas, and more interesting for the whole 3D printing experience Shapeways are trailing a new "ultra fine" print medium. This has led CGD to design some figures that look like figures and not just a collection of lumps and bumps!

You will get 10 figures in an assortment of poses, designed to be used around an "armour maintenance depot", interestingly these come with detachable foot places so you can have your figure supported on its own base, or detached the figure can be attached to diorama directly (remember to paint them first!)

Note: This material provided by Shapeways makes they figure more like Resin than Plastic, and may need care when handling.

Saturday, May 07, 2011

1/144 CGD German Captured TKS tractor with Pak 36 Anti-tank Gunfter overrunning Poland in 1939, the Germans captured many TKS tankettes. Starting form 1940 they were put into organized use with designation le.PzKpfw TKS(p). A lot of the captured TKS has their weapons removed and modified to be used as light tractors.

Monday, May 02, 2011

GPM is a Polish company that I first bought to your attention some time back in 2007, since that time they have expanded their 1/144 range by introducing a range of more affordable and user friendly card based models (inc transparencies for windows where appropriate). The range now includes an excellent WWII Hanger, and a Cold War style Modern Hardened Aircraft Shelter.

The basic construction of these items is based on varying thicknesses of laser-cut card and hard boards that whilst having some colour lend themselves to being painted and enhanced with additional railway style diorama products.

The hangers and shelters are nice renditions of the items concerned, and if ever you wanted to build one of the 1945 style bombed out Luftwaffe Hangers this is the once. Its not too expensive and would be easy to cut and distress to get that beleaguered effect!? (It obviously looks great fully intact too!)

The post-war Hardened Aircraft Shelter would look great certainly for an Warsaw Pact style diorama, but would also look good with other aircraft of that period.

If you have the built the Tom-Tom hanger these should not be too much of a stretch beyond that, if you haven't it would be worth while having a practice on the Tom-Tom hanger to get your and and eye experienced.

The postage on either of the Hanger or Todt card based items is fairly standard, the postage on the Todt Batterie is likely to be much more and worth noting this at the checkout! It was a pleasure however to be on the receiving end of prompt and quick Post (credit to the Polish Mail Service and Royal Mail!)

The Todt Batterie is slightly different scenario. It is a 'mixed media' kit and contains metal, card and 'plaster of Paris' based components (these are the heavy parts) such as the casement and some of the surrounding parts. It is worth noting that to make a truly excellent job of your Todt Batterie then some additional modelling and landscaping would be required.

The Ekranpolans were albiet very large (550 Tons) deomonstrators of the "Wing In Ground Effect" principle, neither a boat, nor a plane, They were designed to skim across lakes and potentially larger bodies of water(?) at very high speeds.

This should be some size!It is meant to be between 90-100m long and upto 30m at its widest, in 1/144 that is in the region on 700 x 200mm!

I would expect bonus items, certianly there are numerous WIG aircraft that could be incoprorated....